Adult Literacy Program

Success Stories

A quiet hum of teachers and adult learners – laughing, talking, and learning to read and speak English – can be heard in the basement of the University Baptist Church, where each year about 400 Baltimore City residents attend literacy and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes and tutoring at the Adult Literacy & ESOL Program. In Classroom C, Obed, an immigrant from Mexico, practices his reading, writing, and math skills. Enrolling in the Program in early 2007, Obed came a long way in his education.

Unable to speak English when his family came to the United States at age 11, and later faced with a death in the family during his ninth grade year, Obed left school and entered the workforce to help support his family. In the spring of 2007, Obed made the decision to devote his time to learning and try again. So he searched online and found Greater Homewood’s Adult Literacy & ESOL Program. Obed said that he felt at home at Greater Homewood the first time he came to the office: “It’s already hard to go back to school but the process there was easier and more comfortable for me.”

Obed made tremendous progress in a short period and made large gains in reading and math.  He entered and completed the External Diploma Program, and in the spring of 2008, Obed earned his high school diploma.  He is now enrolled in community college exploring a career in electronics.  Obed is just one of many success stories to come from the Adult Literacy & ESOL Program.